Three people who visited the L.A. Fitness gym at 1560 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee, Florida, contracted Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia, according to the Florida Department of Health, Orange County. This was the “common exposure” for the people sickened in the outbreak. Our law firm is investigating.
In response, L.A. Fitness decontaminated its hot tub and installed new shower heads that are designed to filter out bacteria like Legionella from shower water. Legionella is the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease. The only way to contract the disease is by breathing in water mist or aspirating water containing the bacteria.
“When there is an outbreak of Legionnaires’ pneumonia, the first step is to find the source by testing water samples in buildings visited by outbreak victims prior to onset of illness,” said Fred Pritzker, a lawyer who represents Legionnaires’ disease victims in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against building owners. Fred can be contacted at 1-888-377-8900 (toll free).
Health investigators collected water samples at the gym to be tested. If Legionella is found, additional genetic testing will be done to determine the DNA fingerprint of the bacteria in the water. This testing is called pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Our law firm uses this kind of evidence regularly in lawsuits against building owners responsible for outbreaks.
LA Fitness in Ocoee probed for Legionnaire’s outbreak https://t.co/WWmciRvFMy pic.twitter.com/b3Jwgym55D
— Orlando Sentinel (@orlandosentinel) April 21, 2017
Businesses like gyms that charge people for the use of owned or leased facilities are responsible for providing a safe environment. When that does not happen, someone sickened may have the right to sue for compensation and justice. In addition, a Legionnaires’ disease lawsuit can help bring to light causes of contamination and prevention measures that can and should be used.
“This is an extremely dangerous pathogen that lodges in the lungs and quickly colonizes,” said attorney Pritzker. “Every building owner should take every measure to protect customers from illness.”